Yahoo Finance Ariana Grande Supports Britney Spears After Singer's Second Emotional Court Testimony
Over the past month, Britney Spears has spoken for the first time in years about the effects of her long-running conservatorship .
The singer first addressed the judge of a Los Angeles court on June 23 to ask for her father Jamie Spears and other parties be removed as conservator. Since 2008, when Spears had a well-documented mental health breakdown, her father has been in control of not only her finances, but other areas of her life under the legal arrangement.
Spears' testimony sent shockwaves throughout the music industry and among her fans, since the transcript (and a recording) was made public.
Some of the most disturbing elements of the mother-of-two's testimony include the allegation that she is unable to get an IUD (Intrauterine device) removed - so that she can have more children - without permission, under the current arrangements.
The 39-year-old also claimed she was prescribed lithium against her wishes, forced to perform a gruelling work schedule, and to attend multiple therapy sessions a week outside of her home which has often meant run-ins with the Paparazzi.
Spears said she is 'traumatised', angry and 'depressed' by the 13-year conservatorship. The LA judge made no ruling following the 'Toxic' singer's testimony and the case is still ongoing.
In response to the singer’s testimony, Jamie Spears denies the allegations and his lawyers said in a statement read out in court: ‘He is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain. Mr Spears loves his daughter, and he misses her very much.’
On July 14, Spears addressed the court once more, saying she wants her father to be charged with 'conservator abuse'. It was during this court meeting that the singer secured a minor legal win in her ongoing case as the judge ruled she could appoint her own lawyer to argue on her behalf, for the first time since the conservatorship started.
Over the past year, the case has received renewed interest following a high-profile 'Free Britney' campaign orchestrated by fans (many of whom were outside the courthouse on Wednesday), a New York Times documentary looking into the conservatorship and more and more celebrities speaking out about it.
The same happened in the aftermath of Spears' testimony when the star's peers, friends and even ex-boyfriends issued their thoughts following her claims. Here are some of the most poignant reactions from the celebrity world:
Ariana Grande
On July 14, a judge granted Spears' request that she could appoint her own lawyer in her legal battle to remove her father Jamie as conservator of her estate. Celebrating with an Instagram post showing her cartwheeling and riding a horse outside following the testimony, Grande was one of the near 60,000 commenters voicing their support for the star.
'You are so very loved and supported,' the 'God Is A Woman' artist wrote in capital letters under the post.
This was followed up by Spears' boyfriend Sam Asghari who commented that the internet was 'about to explode' following his partner's second testimony in court.
Madonna
Madonna has added her voice to the long list of artists who have previously collaborated with Spears to call for an end to the singer's conservatorship.
On Thursday July 8, the 'Like A Prayer' singer uploaded a photo of herself wearing a slogan tee with Spears' name on it and added a caption which put her opposition to Spears' legal arrangement on full display.
'Give this woman her life back,' Madonna's rallying cry called. 'Death to the greedy patriarchy that has been doing this to women for centuries... Britney we coming to get you out of jail!'
Madonna and Spears were believed to be close after they collaborated on the track 'Me Against The Music' in 2003. Their on-stage kiss at the MTV VMAs in August of that year, during a performance alongside Christina Aguilera, dominated headlines for weeks - if not years - to come.
Christina Aguilera
Spears and Aguilera found fame at the same time in the late 1990s, both having started out on the Disney Channel's Mickey Mouse Club along with Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling.
Now, the 'Beautiful' singer - who has previously spoken about being pitted against Spears during their time at the top of the charts - has issued a statement following Spears' testimony, saying she has spent the past few days thinking about her fellow Disney alum and 'all that she's been going through'.
These past few days I’ve been thinking about Britney and everything she is going through.
It is unacceptable that any woman, or human, wanting to be in control of their own destiny might not be allowed to live life as they wish. pic.twitter.com/NRhNwcJaD3— Christina Aguilera (@xtina) June 29, 2021
In a series of tweets alongside a picture of the two pop stars back in the day, Aguilera wrote of Spears: 'The conviction and desperation of this plea for freedom leads me to believe that this person I once knew has been living without compassion or decency from those in control.'
While I am not behind the closed doors of this very layered & personal yet public conversation – all I can do is share from my heart on what I’ve heard, read and seen in the media.
— Christina Aguilera (@xtina) June 29, 2021
She added that any woman 'wanting to be in control of their own destiny might not be allowed to live life as they wish' and doubled down on her view that Spears deserves 'all of the freedom possible to live her happiest life' and 'all the TRUE love and support in the world.'
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel
The singer, who famously dated Spears in the late nineties and early noughties until their 2002 break-up and more recently apologised for his 'actions contributing to the problem' following the Framing Britney Spears documentary, reacted on Twitter:
Jess and I send our love, and our absolute support to Britney during this time. We hope the courts, and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 24, 2021
The singer, who married Jessica Biel (with whom he has two sons), said both are sending their love and support to Spears and hope the courts allow his former partner 'to let her live however she wants to live'.
Mariah Carey
Ahead of Spears' testimony, the Grammy-winning singer sent her support:
We love you Britney!!! Stay strong ❤️❤️❤️
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 23, 2021
Halsey
The 'Without Me' star reacted particularly angrily to the allegation that Spears has been unable to have an IUD removed:
Additionally, fuck anyone who thinks they have the authority as an institution or individual to control a person’s reproductive health. #FreeBritney
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2021
Bless Britney and I hope with my whole heart she is awarded freedom from this abusive system. She deserves it more than anything. I admire her courage speaking up for herself today.
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2021
Khloe Kardashian
'No one should be treated like this,' wrote the TV personality.
No one should be treated like this. Stay strong Queen!! You deserve better 💜🦄🌈✨💜 #FreeBritney
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) June 24, 2021
Brandy
The singer joined the many social media users demanding #FreeBritney.
— b r a n d y (@4everBrandy) June 23, 2021
Rose McGowan
The activist said Spears has 'every right to be angry', a sentiment Spears conveyed in her testimony.
Britney Spears has every right to be angry. How would you feel if your life was stolen, dissected, mocked? I pray she gets to live your life on her terms. STOP CONTROLLING WOMEN. #FreeBritney – The Hollywood Reporter https://t.co/qyV9oNnLQt
— Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) June 23, 2021
Vera Wang
The designer was speechless after reading Spears' testimony:
No words. #FreeBritney
— Vera Wang (@VeraWang) June 23, 2021
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